Cook County Board approves $10 increase in lawsuit-filing fee

Suing someone in Cook County will cost an extra $10 starting next month.

On Tuesday, the Cook County Board voted 13-4 to approve the increase for civil cases. It applies to both plaintiffs and defendants effective Feb. 1.

Commissioner Larry Suffredin (D-Evanston) sponsored the fee and said he hopes to raise about $3.7 million a year. Some of the money will cover the $1 million a year for workers at eight courthouse children's waiting rooms and the cost to add four more in the suburbs, Suffredin said.

Children whose parents are in court for everything from divorces to criminal cases use the rooms, designed to spare children any trauma and ensure they don't distract from court proceedings, Suffredin said.

"I believe the courtroom is not a place for children," added Commissioner Peter Silvestri (R-Elmwood Park).

Filing now costs $100 to $300, depending on the suit, commissioners said.